Automated enrollment of a user in an automatic updating program

ABSTRACT

An auto-enrollment billing updater (AEBU) computing device for enrolling enrollees in an automatic updating program is provided. The AEBU computing device is configured to receive, from an acquirer computing device, an account update request for updated account data for a set of account identifiers, the account update request including an input acquirer identifier and an input merchant identifier. The AEBU computing device is further configured to perform a lookup within a transaction database using a combination of the input acquirer identifier and the input merchant identifier, wherein the transaction database includes transaction data involving a plurality of cardholders and a plurality of merchants. The AEBU computing device is further configured to identify as a merchant enrollee the merchant included within the transaction database having a stored acquirer identifier and a stored merchant identifier combination that matches the input acquirer identifier and the input merchant identifier combination included in the request, and automatically enroll the merchant enrollee in the automatic updating program when the merchant enrollee is identified.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to information networks and,more particularly, to computer systems and computer-based methods forautomatically enrolling users in an automatic updating program such asan automatic account updating program.

Computer networks offer systems that will update data used by users ofsaid systems. However, in order to receive this updated data, the usertypically has to enroll in the update system. Enrolling in such updatesystems can be tedious and time consuming.

For example, in the payment industry, individuals may repeatedlytransact with a single merchant, such as a repeat customer or by way ofrecurring payments. A repeat transaction may be triggered at regularlyscheduled intervals or upon occurrence of an event, for example, thebalance reaching a predetermined threshold. It has become common forindividuals to enroll with merchants with whom they expect to haverepeat transactions for goods and services using a payment card. Onceenrolled, when making a transaction, the individual need not reenterpersonal data and payment card data. Instead, the merchant may attemptto complete a transaction using the already submitted personal andpayment card data. These transactions are known as “card-not-present”(CNP) transactions. In such transactions, data from the payment cardincluding account identifiers, such as personal account numbers (PANs),and, in many instances, an expiration date for the payment card istransmitted from a merchant, along with an indicator that thetransaction is a CNP transaction. An “account-on-file” transaction isanother type of transaction in which the merchant stores data regardingthe cardholder's payment card in a database, then retrieves the storedpayment card data and includes it in a payment authorization request.One specific type of account-on-file transaction is a “recurring paymenttransaction,” which a merchant initiates on a recurring basis for aparticular cardholder. In such recurring payment transactions, themerchant stores data regarding the cardholder's payment card in adatabase, then retrieves the stored payment card data and includes it ineach recurring authorization request.

During an authentication phase of a transaction, the personal accountdata may be used by authenticating entities to authenticate thetransaction. Entities involved in the authentication process mayinclude, for example, the issuing bank that issued the payment card tothe cardholder, the merchant, and/or the acquirer bank that authorizespayment card transaction and transfers money on behalf of the merchant.These activities may be coordinated by a payment processing system thatincludes a payment processor. In some instances, the issuing bank andthe acquirer bank compare personal account data associated with thecardholder for verification purposes before authorizing the transaction.However, when the personal account data stored by the issuing bank andthe acquirer bank do not match, such as due to an update of personalaccount data with only one of the authenticating entities, thetransaction may be denied.

When a cardholder's personal account data changes, transactions may bedenied unless updates are shared with each authentication entity. Theprocess for updating personal account data can be time consuming and maybe prone to error. What is more, the updating process may be performedhaphazardly since cardholders do not typically have a comprehensive listof parties that they have enrolled with for future or recurringtransactions. Missing an update may cause denial of an importantpayment, potentially causing further complications and penalty fees.

To prevent these interruptions, merchants may wish to enroll in aprogram providing access to updated account data. In at least some ofthese known account update systems, a merchant must enroll with thesystem to receive updates. These known systems require merchantenrollment in an account updating program to be initiated by themerchant's acquirer bank. The acquirer bank may initiate merchantenrollment by submitting request files to the account updating programor by manually completing and submitting enrollment paperwork. Acquirersmust submit enrollment forms that include a variety of merchantidentifying information. Current methods of merchant enrollment are timeconsuming and prone to error. There is therefore a need to automatemerchant enrollment in an account updating program.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

In one aspect, an auto-enrollment billing updater (AEBU) computingdevice for enrolling enrollees in an automatic updating program isprovided. The AEBU computing device includes one or more processors incommunication with one or more memory devices. The AEBU computing deviceis configured to receive, from an acquirer computing device, an accountupdate request for updated account data, the account update requestincluding an input acquirer identifier and an input merchant identifier.The AEBU computing device is further configured to perform a lookupwithin a transaction database using a combination of the input acquireridentifier and the input merchant identifier, wherein the transactiondatabase includes transaction data involving a plurality of cardholdersand a plurality of merchants. The AEBU computing device is furtherconfigured to identify as a merchant enrollee the merchant includedwithin the transaction database having a stored acquirer identifier anda stored merchant identifier combination that matches the input acquireridentifier and the input merchant identifier combination included in therequest. The AEBU computing device is further configured toautomatically enroll the merchant enrollee in the automatic updatingprogram when the merchant enrollee is identified.

In another embodiment, a computer-implemented method for enrollingenrollees in an automatic updating program is provided. The method isimplemented using an auto-enrollment billing updater (AEBU) computingdevice. The method includes receiving, by the AEBU computing device, arequest from an acquirer computing device for updated account data, theaccount update request including an input acquirer identifier and aninput merchant identifier, and performing a lookup within a transactiondatabase using a combination of the input acquirer identifier and theinput merchant identifier, wherein the transaction database includestransaction data involving a plurality of cardholders and a plurality ofmerchants. The method further includes identifying, by the AEBUcomputing device, as a merchant enrollee the merchant included withinthe transaction database having a stored acquirer identifier and astored merchant identifier combination that matches the input acquireridentifier and the input merchant identifier combination included in therequest, and automatically enrolling the merchant enrollee in theautomatic updating program when the merchant enrollee is identified.

In still another embodiment, a non-transitory computer readable mediumthat includes computer-executable instructions for enrolling enrolleesin an automatic updating program is provided. When executed by at leastone processor of an auto-enrollment billing updater (AEBU) computingdevice, the computer executable instructions cause the at least oneprocessor to receive, from an acquirer computing device, an accountupdate request for updated account data, the account update requestincluding an input acquirer identifier and an input merchant identifier,and perform a lookup within a transaction database using a combinationof the input acquirer identifier and the input merchant identifier,wherein the transaction database includes transaction data involving aplurality of cardholders and a plurality of merchants. The computerexecutable instructions further cause the at least one processor toidentify as a merchant enrollee the merchant included within thetransaction database having a stored acquirer identifier and a storedmerchant identifier combination that matches the input acquireridentifier and the input merchant identifier combination included in therequest, and automatically enroll the merchant enrollee in the automaticupdating program when the merchant enrollee is identified.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1-4 show example embodiments of the methods and systems describedherein.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a payment platform having anauto-enrollment billing updater (AEBU) computing device.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary multi-partynetwork system that includes the AEBU computing device shown in FIG. 1for enrolling merchants in an account updating program.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the AEBU computing deviceshown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating an example method for enrollingmerchants in an account updating program using the AEBU computing deviceshown in FIGS. 1 and 2 in accordance with one example embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The systems and methods described herein are directed to anauto-enrollment billing updater (AEBU) computing device forautomatically enrolling merchants in an account updating program. TheAEBU computing device periodically receives account data and accountdata updates from one or more issuers, and maintains the account data inan AEBU account database. Account data and account data updates areassociated with unique account identifiers, such as personal accountnumbers (PANs). Account data and account data updates may include a PAN,an expiration date, and/or other data associated with the payment cardand/or cardholder.

The AEBU computing device is also in communication with a paymentprocessor, and aggregates and stores transaction data. The transactiondata may include a list of account identifiers (e.g., PANs), a list ofmerchants with which the account identifiers have transacted, and acorresponding list of acquirer banks wherein each merchant is associatedwith an acquirer bank. In an example embodiment, the transactiondatabase stores transactions as rows and associated searchable keyvariables are stored as columns, wherein the associated searchable keyvariables may include a merchant identifier, an acquirer identifier,transaction dates and times, the physical addresses associated withtransactions (e.g., shipping addresses, merchant addresses, etc.),transaction amounts, etc. In another example embodiment, the transactiondata is indexed within the transaction database by merchant, and thuseach merchant in the transaction database is associated with a list ofaccount identifiers. Transaction data may also include transaction datesand times, the physical addresses associated with transactions (e.g.,shipping addresses, merchant addresses, etc.), transaction amounts, etc.The AEBU computing device stores transaction data in the transactiondatabase. The transaction data may be stored together with the accountdata or in a separate database (i.e., the transaction database may bethe same as the account database or separate from the account database).The transaction data may include transactions completed within aspecified window of time (e.g., within the past ninety days). Themerchants associated with the transaction data may be identified usingmerchant transaction identifiers. These merchant transaction identifiersmay be similar to the identifiers found in cardholder transactionsummaries, such as those that might appear in account statements orbills. The AEBU computing device also stores account updating programdata in an enrollment database. Data stored within the enrollmentdatabase can be used by the AEBU computing device to determine if amerchant has enrolled in the account updating program. Data in theenrollment database may include a merchant enrollment identifier, thephysical address associated with a merchant, the acquirer bankassociated with a merchant, and a list of account identifiers with whichthe merchant has transacted. Enrollment data may be stored together withthe account and/or transaction data or in a separate database.

Currently, for a merchant to enroll in an account updating program andreceive updated account data, an associated acquirer must submit anenrollment request on the merchant's behalf. Once a merchant is enrolledin the account updating program, a requesting party, such as anacquirer, may submit an update request to the AEBU computing device onbehalf of the merchant. However, merchant enrollment usually requiresmanual completion and transmission of paperwork, can take several daysto process, and may be prone to error. Moreover, outright failure of themerchant to be enrolled in an account updating program creates thetechnical problem or issue of a recurring transaction being denied(i.e., the transaction is not completed) and the related payments beingdeclined or not made. An AEBU computing device is therefore needed thatcan automatically enroll merchants into an account updating programusing data included in an acquirer-submitted update request to preventthese technical problems or issues from occurring.

The AEBU computing device is configured to receive a request from anacquirer computing device for updated account data for a set of accountidentifiers. The acquirer computing device may be associated with anacquirer bank or any entity that processes transactions on behalf of amerchant. In some embodiments, an update request may include acombination of an acquirer interbank card association (ICA) number and amerchant transaction identifier. ICA numbers are four-digit numbersassigned by a payment processor to the acquirer to identify the acquirerin transactions. Merchant transaction identifiers may be similar to theidentifiers found in cardholder transaction summaries, such as thosethat might appear in account statements or bills. In some embodiments,the acquirer and merchant identifiers may correspond with the names ofthe acquirer and merchant, or may include strings of charactersrecognizable only to the AEBU computing device.

In some embodiments, the AEBU computing device is configured to receivea request for updated account data, retrieve data from the enrollmentdatabase, and determine if the merchant is already enrolled in theaccount updating program. If the merchant is enrolled, the AEBUcomputing device may send updated account data to the acquirer. Forexample, if the update request includes a combination of an acquirer ICAnumber and a merchant identifier that matches a combination of anacquirer ICA number and a merchant identifier in the enrollmentdatabase, the AEBU computing device may generate an AEBU responsemessage including the updated account data and transmit the message tothe requesting acquirer.

The inclusion of the acquirer ICA number in the update request may benecessary because different acquirers may use the same merchantidentifiers for different merchants. For example, Kyle's Shoe Store maybe given 0101 as a merchant identifier by acquirer World Bank, whose ICAnumber may be 2020. Dave's Mattress Emporium may also be given 0101 as amerchant identifier by Nation Bank, whose ICA number may be 3030. Inthis example, an update request for merchant 0101 may be ambiguouswithout inclusion of an associated ICA.

If the AEBU computing device determines that the merchant is not alreadyenrolled in the account updating program, the AEBU computing device maybe further configured to retrieve, from the transaction database,transaction data associated with one or more merchants, the transactiondata including one or more combinations of an acquirer ICA number andmerchant identifier. Thus, the AEBU computing device is configured toidentify a merchant enrollee by determining a merchant from thetransaction data associated with an acquirer ICA number/merchantidentifier combination that correlates with the acquirer ICAnumber/merchant identifier combination included in the request. The AEBUcomputing device is further configured to automatically enroll theidentified merchant enrollee into the account updating program. In someembodiments, the AEBU computing device is further configured to updatethe enrollment database with data associated with the newly enrolledmerchant. In some embodiments, the AEBU computing device may generate anAEBU merchant identifier for the merchant enrollee. The AEBU merchantidentifier may be used in future account update requests and may bestored with other merchant data in the enrollment database. The AEBUcomputing device may include the AEBU merchant identifier in an AEBUresponse message transmitted to the requesting acquirer.

Assigning an AEBU merchant identifier has the technical benefit ofpreventing a single merchant with multiple merchant transactionidentifiers from having to enroll with the AEBU computing devicemultiple times. The AEBU merchant identifier may be mapped to eachmerchant identifier associated with the merchant in the transactiondatabase that is also associated with acquirer ICA number included inthe update request.

In some embodiments, the AEBU computing device is configured to receivea request for updated account data and to further retrieve one or morelists of account identifiers from the transaction database, the one ormore lists of account identifiers having been used to initiate atransaction with the one or more merchants associated with the one ormore merchant identifiers. The AEBU computing device may be furtherconfigured to use the transaction data to identify a target set ofaccount identifiers, wherein each member of the target set of accountidentifiers is both included in the account update request and isassociated with the merchant enrollee identified in the transactiondata. Identifying the target set of account identifiers may preventsupplying account data for accounts not associated with both therequesting acquirer and the merchant enrollee. The AEBU computing devicemay be further configured to retrieve, from the account database,updated account data and provide the requesting acquirer with updatedaccount data for the target set of account identifiers. The updatedaccount data may be included in an AEBU response message.

In some embodiments, the AEBU computing device is configured to receivea request for updated account data and to further generate and transmitan AEBU response message to the requesting acquirer that provides noticeof successful enrollment of the merchant enrollee in the accountupdating program, and that provides the requested account data. In someembodiments, if a matching acquirer ICA number/merchant identifiercombination is not found in the transaction data, the AEBU computingdevice is configured to generate and transmit an AEBU response messageto the requesting acquirer that indicates the account data updaterequest failed.

In certain embodiments, multiple account update requests for one or moremerchants may be collected and submitted to the AEBU computing device ina batch. For example, an acquirer may collect multiple account updaterequests from one or more merchants and submit the account updaterequests as a batch to the AEBU computing device.

In some embodiments, data received by the acquirer in response torequests for updated account data may be transmitted to the merchantidentified in the account update request.

The methods and systems described herein may be implemented usingcomputer programming or engineering techniques including computersoftware, firmware, hardware or any combination or subset thereof,wherein the technical effect is achieved by performing at least one of:(a) receive an account update request for updated account data for a setof account identifiers, the account update request including an acquireridentifier and a merchant identifier; (b) retrieve transaction dataassociated with one or more merchants, the transaction data includingone or more combinations of an acquirer identifier and merchantidentifier; (c) attempt to identify a merchant enrollee by attempting toidentify a merchant from the transaction data that is associated with anacquirer identifier/merchant identifier combination that matches theacquirer identifier/merchant identifier combination included in therequest; and (d) automatically enroll the merchant enrollee in theautomatic updating program when the merchant enrollee is identified.

The systems and methods described herein provide the technicaladvantages of (a) automating enrollment in an account updating program;(b) reducing the likelihood that account-on-file payment cardtransactions will be denied; (c) controlling and policing access to AEBUsystems; and (d) increasing issuer participation in AEBU systems.

In one embodiment, a computer program is provided, and the program isembodied on a computer-readable medium. In an example embodiment, thesystem is executed on a single computer system, without requiring aconnection to a sever computer. In a further example embodiment, thesystem is being run in a Windows® environment (Windows is a registeredtrademark of Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, Wash.). In yet anotherembodiment, the system is run on a mainframe environment and a UNIX®server environment (UNIX is a registered trademark of AT&T located inNew York, N.Y.). The application is flexible and designed to run invarious different environments without compromising any majorfunctionality. In some embodiments, the system includes multiplecomponents distributed among a plurality of computing devices. One ormore components may be in the form of computer-executable instructionsembodied in a computer-readable medium. The systems and processes arenot limited to the specific embodiments described herein. In addition,components of each system and each process can be practiced independentand separate from other components and processes described herein. Eachcomponent and process can also be used in combination with otherassembly packages and processes.

The following detailed description illustrates embodiments of thedisclosure by way of example and not by way of limitation. It iscontemplated that the disclosure has general application to providing asystem for automatically enrolling merchants in an account updatingprogram.

As used herein, an element or step recited in the singular and precededwith the word “a” or “an” should be understood as not excluding pluralelements or steps, unless such exclusion is explicitly recited.Furthermore, references to “example embodiment” or “one embodiment” ofthe present disclosure are not intended to be interpreted as excludingthe existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate therecited features.

A payment card is a cashless payment device that may be embodied, forexample, as a credit card, debit card, contactless RFID-enabled deviceincluding a smart card, Near-Field Communication enabled smartphone,electronic mobile wallet or the like. The payment card may be a device,real or virtual, by which the cardholder, as payer and/or source offunds for the payment, may be identified.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a payment platform 100 thatincludes an auto-enrollment billing updater (AEBU) computing device 120.Embodiments described herein may relate to a transaction card system,such as a payment card payment system using the Mastercard® interchangenetwork. The Mastercard® interchange network is a set of proprietarycommunications standards promulgated by Mastercard InternationalIncorporated for the exchange of financial transaction data and thesettlement of funds between financial institutions that are associatedwith Mastercard International Incorporated.

In a typical transaction card system, a financial institution referredto as the “issuer” 104 issues a transaction card, such as a credit card,debit card, and the like, to the consumer or cardholder 102, who usesthe transaction card to tender payment for a purchase from merchant 110.To accept payment with the transaction card, merchant 110 normallyestablishes an account with a financial institution 108 that is part ofthe financial payment system. This financial institution is referred toas the “merchant bank,” the “acquiring bank,” or the “acquirer.” In oneembodiment, cardholder 102 uses a transaction card to tender payment fora purchase and merchant 110 then requests authorization from acquirer108 for the amount of the purchase. The request is usually performedthrough the use of a point-of-sale terminal, which reads account datafrom a magnetic stripe, a chip, embossed characters, and the like,included on the transaction card of the cardholder 102 and communicateselectronically with the transaction processing computers of acquirer108. In the context of transactions with online merchants, cardholder102 may provide account data, such as their personal account number(PAN), a card verification number, an expiration date, and the likethrough a website. Alternatively, acquirer 108 may authorize a thirdparty to perform transaction processing on its behalf. In this case, apoint-of-sale terminal may be configured to communicate with the thirdparty. Such a third party may be referred to as a “merchant processor,”an “acquiring processor,” or a “third party processor.”

Using a payment processor 106, computers of acquirer 108 may communicatewith computers of issuer 104 to determine whether account 112 ofcardholder 102 is in good standing and whether the purchase is coveredby an available credit line of the account 112 corresponding tocardholder 102. Based on these determinations, the request forauthorization may be declined or accepted. If the request is accepted,an authorization code may be issued to merchant 110.

Merchants, such as merchant 110, may store payment card account datacorresponding to one or more cardholders in a cardholder accountdatabase 111. In certain embodiments, merchant cardholder accountdatabase 111 may be a local or remote database accessible by merchant110. During a transaction, merchant 110 may retrieve account data fromcardholder account database 111 as opposed to collecting the data fromcardholder 102, such as by having cardholder 102 provide his or herpayment card account data by swiping a payment card or manually enteringpayment card data. So called “account-on-file” transactions may includerecurring payments such as subscription fees, membership fees,electronic bills, and the like. Account-on-file transactions may alsoinclude instances when cardholder 102 is a repeat customer of merchant110. Accordingly, account-on-file transactions generally require acardholder to provide his or her payment card account data initially andthen to authorize or enroll in an account-on-file service. Once enrolledor authorized, subsequent payments by cardholder 102 may be streamlinedby either automatically charging cardholder 102 or by automaticallyretrieving account data corresponding to cardholder 102 from merchantcustomer account database 111.

For example, merchant 110 may be an internet service provider (ISP) thatprovides internet connectivity to cardholder 102 in exchange for amonthly service fee. Cardholder 102 may enroll in an automatic bill payservice with the ISP to pay for the monthly service charge. The ISP maystore cardholder's 102 account data in cardholder account database 111and submit the monthly service charges to issuer 104. As anotherexample, merchant 110 may correspond with an online merchant from whichcardholder 102 makes regular purchases. Cardholder 102 may create a userprofile with online merchant 110 and provide his or her payment cardaccount data, which online merchant 110 may then store in cardholderaccount database 111. When cardholder 102 later logs onto onlinemerchant's 110 website and selects goods or services for purchase,online merchant 110 may retrieve cardholder's 102 payment card accountdata from cardholder account database 111 and facilitate cardholder's102 purchase by automatically populating purchase forms or performingsimilar steps with the retrieved account data.

Although account-on-file transactions improve efficiency for bothmerchants 110 and cardholders 102, payment card account data is subjectto change. For example, a payment card's expiration date may lapse orissuer 104 may reissue a payment card with a different primary accountnumber (PAN). If merchant 110 attempts to submit a transaction to issuer104 for authorization after such a change and uses stale account data,issuer 104 is likely to reject the transaction. Accordingly, an AEBUcomputing device 120 may be used to ensure that account data maintainedby merchant 110 is current, as described herein. Specifically, AEBUcomputing device 120 may receive payment card account data updates fromone or more issuers, such as issuer 104, and store the received currentpayment card account data in an account database 190. Further, acquirer108 may submit requests to AEBU computing device 120 for access to theupdated account data in order to provide the updated account data tomerchant 110. A granted request would provide acquirer 108 access toupdated account data and would further allow acquirer 108 to forward theupdated account data to merchant 110. Merchant 110 may update theirrespective cardholder account database 111 with the updated accountdata. In some embodiments, acquirer bank 108 may accumulate multipleupdate requests into a batch that is then submitted to AEBU computingdevice 120 for processing.

AEBU computing device 120 is also in communication with paymentprocessor 106 to collect, aggregate, and store transaction data from aplurality of transactions. The transaction data is stored in atransaction database 180. The transaction data is data related topurchases made by the cardholder that are initiated with a merchant andare processed by the payment processor. The transaction data may includea list of account identifiers (e.g., PANs) and a list of merchants 110with which the account identifiers have transacted. The transaction datais indexed within transaction database 180 by merchant, and thus eachmerchant 110 in transaction database 180 is associated with anindividual list of account identifiers. Transaction data may alsoinclude transaction dates and times, the physical addresses (e.g.,shipping address, merchant address, etc.) associated with transactions,transaction amounts, etc. Transaction database 180 may be the same asaccount database 190, or may be a separate database. The transactiondata may also include transactions completed within a specified windowof time (e.g., within the past ninety days). In the example embodiment,merchants 110 included with the transaction data are identified usingmerchant transaction identifiers. Merchant transaction identifiers maybe similar to the identifiers found in cardholder 102 transactionsummaries, such as those that might appear in account statements orbills.

AEBU computing device 120 also stores account updating program data inan enrollment database 195. Data stored within enrollment database 195can be used by AEBU computing device 120 to determine if a merchant hasenrolled in the account updating program, as described herein. Data inenrollment database 195 may include a merchant enrollment identifier,the physical address associated with a merchant, the acquirer bankassociated with a merchant, and a list of account identifiers fortransactions conducted with the merchant. Enrollment database 195 may bethe same as transaction database 180 and/or account database 190, or maybe a separate database.

AEBU computing device 120 is communicatively coupled to acquirer 108, orother requesting party, over a first network connection. AEBU computingdevice 120 is also communicatively coupled to issuer 104 over a secondnetwork connection. The first and/or second network connection mayinclude, for example, a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network(WAN), dial-in-connections, cable modems, special high-speed IntegratedServices Digital Network (ISDN) lines, a wireless network adapter or awireless data transceiver for use with a mobile phone network, GlobalSystem for Mobile communications (GSM), 3G, or other mobile data networkor Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WIMAX). In someembodiments, AEBU computing device 120 may be communicatively coupled topayment processor 106. In one embodiment, AEBU computing 120 device isin communication with or is a part of payment processor 106. Eachnetwork interface may be associated with IP address information (e.g.,interface IP address and subnet) to enable the exchange of data.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary multi-partynetwork system 200 including an AEBU computing device 220 forautomatically enrolling merchants into an account updating program. Inone embodiment, AEBU computing device 220 is similar to or the same asAEBU computing device 120 as shown in FIG. 1. If an acquirer 208, orother requesting party, wishes to update account data for a list ofcustomer account identifiers, an account update request 230 is submittedto AEBU computing device 220 in the example embodiment. Merchant updaterequest 230 includes a list of account identifiers 236 associated withthe customer accounts for which acquirer 208 desires updated data.Account update request 230 may also include an acquirer identifier 232and a merchant identifier 234. In the example embodiment, acquireridentifier 232 is a four digit acquirer ICA number, and merchantidentifier 234 is associated with the merchant on whose behalf acquirer208 is making the update request. In the example embodiment, merchantidentifier 234 is a transaction identifier.

For example, account update request 230 might include acquireridentifier 232 “1234”, merchant identifier 234 “ACME CO”, and accountidentifier list 236 consisting of the following account identifiers:5111111, 5666666, 5444444, and 5777777. This indicates that the acquirerwhose ICA number is 1234 wishes to access updated account data for theaccounts associated with account identifiers 5111111, 5666666, 5444444,and 5777777, and provide the updated account data to merchant ACME CO.

In some embodiments, upon receiving account update request 230, AEBUcomputing device 220 retrieves enrollment data 296 from an enrollmentdatabase 295 to determine if the merchant associated with merchantidentifier 234 is already enrolled in the account updating program. Ifthe merchant associated with merchant identifier 234 is already enrolledin the account updating program, AEBU computing device 220 may generateand transmit an AEBU response message 260 to acquirer 208 that includesthe merchant enrollment status in response data 262 AEBU computingdevice 220 may further retrieve, from account database 290, updatedaccount data 264 for a set of account identifiers and include updatedaccount data 264 in AEBU response message 260.

In the example embodiment, merchant identifier 234 “ACME CO” may not befound in enrollment data 296, and AEBU computing device 220 determinesthe merchant is not already enrolled in the account updating program. Inresponse, AEBU computing device 220 retrieves transaction data 270 froma transaction database 280. Transaction data 270 includes one or morecombinations of an acquirer ICA number and merchant identifier AEBUcomputing device 220 identifies a merchant enrollee by identifying amerchant from transaction data 270 that is associated with an acquirerICA number/merchant identifier combination that matches the acquirer ICAnumber 232/merchant identifier 234 combination included in accountupdate request 230. AEBU computing device 220 is further configured toautomatically enroll the merchant enrollee into the account updatingprogram. In some embodiments, AEBU computing device 220 is configured toupdate enrollment database 295 with data associated with the newlyenrolled merchant. In some embodiments, AEBU computing device 220 maygenerate an AEBU merchant identifier for the merchant enrollee. The AEBUmerchant identifier may be used in future account update requests andmay be stored with other merchant data in enrollment database 295.

For example, upon receiving account update request 230 includingacquirer identifier 232 “1234” and merchant identifier 234 “ACME CO”,AEBU computing device 220 retrieves transaction data 270 for an acquirerICA number/merchant identifier combination that correlates with the“1234”/“ACME CO” combination in account update request 230. AEBUcomputing device 220 identifies “ACME CO” as the merchant enrollee andenrolls “ACME CO” in the account updating program AEBU computing device220 may also generate an AEBU merchant identifier for “ACME CO”, andfurther update enrollment database 295 with data associated withmerchant enrollee “ACME CO”.

AEBU computing device 220 is configured to generate and transmit AEBUresponse message 260 to requesting acquirer 208. AEBU response message260 includes response data 262 that may include, for example, notice ofsuccessful enrollment of the merchant enrollee in the account updatingprogram. Response data 262 may also include an AEBU merchant identifierthat may be used in future account update requests. If a correlatingacquirer ICA number/merchant identifier combination is not found in thetransaction data (e.g., if a merchant enrollee is not identified),response data 262 may include notice of rejection of account updaterequest 230. If a correlating acquirer ICA number/merchant identifiercombination is found in the transaction data (e.g., if a merchantenrollee is identified), AEBU response message 260 may include updatedaccount data 264. Updated account data 264 may include updated accountdata for a target set of account identifiers, wherein each member of thetarget set of merchant identifiers is both included in account updaterequest 230 and is associated with the merchant enrollee in transactiondata 270. Updated account data 264 may be retrieved from an accountdatabase 290.

For example, upon receiving account update request 230 and identifying“ACME CO” as the merchant enrollee, AEBU computing device 220 identifiesaccount identifiers 5111111, 5666666, and 5777777 as the target set ofaccount identifiers. AEBU computing device 220 may then retrieve updatedaccount data 264 for account identifiers 5111111, 5666666, and 5777777from account database 290 and include the updated account data 264 inAEBU response message 260.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example configuration 300 of an AEBU computingdevice 320 that may be used with the systems shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.AEBU computing device 320 includes a processor 304 for executinginstructions. Instructions may be stored in a memory area 306, forexample. Processor 304 may include one or more processing units (e.g.,in a multi-core configuration).

Processor 304 is operatively coupled to a communication interface 308such that AEBU computing device 320 is capable of communicating with aremote device such as an acquirer, a merchant, a cardholder, an issuer,or a payment processor. For example, communication interface 308 maytransmit update request messages to acquirers via a network.

Processor 304 may also be operatively coupled to a storage device 310.Storage device 310 is any computer-operated hardware suitable forstoring and/or retrieving data. In some embodiments, storage device 310is integrated in AEBU computing device 320. For example, AEBU computingdevice 320 may include one or more hard disk drives as storage device310. In other embodiments, storage device 310 is external to AEBUcomputing device 320 and may be accessed by a plurality of servercomputer devices. For example, storage device 310 may include multiplestorage units such as hard disks or solid state disks in a redundantarray of inexpensive disks (RAID) configuration. Storage device 310 mayinclude a storage area network (SAN) and/or a network attached storage(NAS) system.

In some embodiments, processor 304 is operatively coupled to storagedevice 310 via a storage interface 312. Storage interface 312 is anycomponent capable of providing processor 304 with access to storagedevice 310. Storage interface 312 may include, for example, an AdvancedTechnology Attachment (ATA) adapter, a Serial ATA (SATA) adapter, aSmall Computer System Interface (SCSI) adapter, a RAID controller, a SANadapter, a network adapter, and/or any component providing processor 304with access to storage device 310.

Memory area 306 may include, but are not limited to, random accessmemory (RAM) such as dynamic RAM (DRAM) or static RAM (SRAM), read-onlymemory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM),electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), andnon-volatile RAM (NVRAM). The above memory types are exemplary only, andare thus not limiting as to the types of memory usable for storage of acomputer program.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a method 400 for automatically enrollingmerchants in an account updating program. In the example embodiment,method 400 is performed by an AEBU computing device, such as AEBUcomputing device 220 (shown in FIG. 2). In certain embodiments, method400 may at least be partially performed by a different computing device.In other embodiments, method 400 may include additional, fewer, oralternative actions, including those described herein.

In method 400, the AEBU computing device receives 402 an acquirerrequest for updated account data. The request may include, for example,an acquirer identifier, a merchant identifier, and a list of accountidentifiers. In one embodiment, the AEBU computing device determines 404if the merchant associated with the merchant identifier is alreadyenrolled in an account updating program. If the merchant is determinedto be enrolled, the requested updated account data may be transmitted406 to the acquirer. If the merchant is not enrolled in an accountupdating program, the AEBU computing device retrieves 408 transactiondata associated with one or more merchants. The transaction data mayinclude one or more combinations of an acquirer identifier and merchantidentifier.

The AEBU computing device attempts to identify 410 a merchant enrolleeby determining a merchant from the transaction data associated with anacquirer identifier/merchant identifier combination that correlates withthe acquirer identifier/merchant identifier combination included in therequest. If a merchant enrollee is not identified, the AEBU computingdevice rejects 412 the account update request and transmits an AEBUresponse message notifying the requesting acquirer of the rejection. Ifa merchant enrollee is identified, the AEBU computing deviceautomatically enrolls 414 the merchant enrollee into the accountupdating program. The AEBU computing device may be further configured toidentify 416 a target set of account identifiers wherein each member ofthe target set of account identifiers is included in the account updaterequest and is associated with the merchant enrollee in the transactiondata. The AEBU computing device may be further configured to provide 418the requesting acquirer with updated account data for accountsassociated with the target set of account identifiers, and notificationof merchant enrollment into the account updating program.

As will be appreciated based on the foregoing specification, theabove-described examples of the disclosure may be implemented usingcomputer programming or engineering techniques including computersoftware, firmware, hardware or any combination or subset thereof. Anysuch resulting program, having computer-readable code means, may beembodied or provided within one or more computer-readable media, therebymaking a computer program product, i.e., an article of manufacture,according to the discussed examples of the disclosure. Thecomputer-readable media may be, for example, but is not limited to, afixed (hard) drive, diskette, optical disk, magnetic tape, semiconductormemory such as read-only memory (ROM), and/or any transmitting/receivingmedium such as the Internet or other communication network or link. Thearticle of manufacture containing the computer code may be made and/orused by executing the code directly from one medium, by copying the codefrom one medium to another medium, or by transmitting the code over anetwork.

The computer programs (also known as programs, software, softwareapplications, “apps”, or code) include machine instructions for aprogrammable processor, and can be implemented in a high-levelprocedural and/or object-oriented programming language, and/or inassembly/machine language. As used herein, the terms “machine-readablemedium” “computer-readable medium” refers to any computer programproduct, apparatus and/or device (e.g., magnetic discs, optical disks,memory, Programmable Logic Devices (PLDs)) used to provide machineinstructions and/or data to a programmable processor, including amachine-readable medium that receives machine instructions as amachine-readable signal. The “machine-readable medium” and“computer-readable medium,” however, do not include transitory signals.The term “machine-readable signal” refers to any signal used to providemachine instructions and/or data to a programmable processor.

The term processor, as used herein, refers to central processing units,microprocessors, microcontrollers, reduced instruction set circuits(RISC), application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), logic circuits,and any other circuit or processor capable of executing the functionsdescribed herein.

This written description uses examples to describe embodiments of thedisclosure, including the best mode, and also to enable any personskilled in the art to practice the disclosure, including making andusing any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods.The patentable scope of the disclosure is defined by the claims, and mayinclude other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Suchother examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if theyhave structural elements that do not differ from the literal language ofthe claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements withinsubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An auto-enrollment billing updater (AEBU)computing device for enrolling enrollees in an automatic updatingprogram, said AEBU computing device comprising one or more processors incommunication with one or more memory devices, said AEBU computingdevice configured to: receive, from an acquirer computing device, anaccount update request for updated account data, the account updaterequest including an input acquirer identifier and an input merchantidentifier; perform a lookup within a transaction database using acombination of the input acquirer identifier and the input merchantidentifier, wherein the transaction database includes transaction datainvolving a plurality of cardholders and a plurality of merchants;identify as a merchant enrollee the merchant included within thetransaction database having a stored acquirer identifier and a storedmerchant identifier combination that matches the input acquireridentifier and the input merchant identifier combination included in therequest; and automatically enroll the merchant enrollee in the automaticupdating program when the merchant enrollee is identified.
 2. A devicein accordance with claim 1 further configured to search an enrollmentdatabase to determine whether the merchant associated with the inputmerchant identifier in the account update request is already enrolled inthe automatic updating program.
 3. A device in accordance with claim 1further configured to transmit a response message to the acquirercomputing device that rejects the account update request when themerchant enrollee is unable to be identified by the AEBU computingdevice.
 4. A device in accordance with claim 1 further configured totransmit a response message to the acquirer computing device thatincludes a notice of successful enrollment of the merchant enrollee inthe automatic updating program.
 5. A device in accordance with claim 1further configured to: receive a set of account identifiers as part ofthe account update request; identify a target set of account identifiersin the transaction database by determining account identifiersassociated with both the merchant enrollee and the account updaterequest; and transmit a response message to the acquirer computingdevice that includes updated account data for accounts associated withthe target set of account identifiers.
 6. A device in accordance withclaim 1 wherein the transaction database stores transactions as rows andassociated searchable key variables are stored as columns, wherein thekey variables include at least the stored merchant identifier and thestored acquirer identifier, and wherein the combination of the storedmerchant identifier and the stored acquirer identifier uniquely identifya merchant involved in the corresponding transaction.
 7. A device inaccordance with claim 1 further configured to: generate an AEBU merchantidentifier for the merchant enrollee; and automatically update anenrollment database with data associated with the merchant enrollee,wherein the data associated with the merchant enrollee includes the ABEUmerchant identifier.
 8. A computer-implemented method for enrollingentities in an automatic updating program, said method implemented usingan auto-enrollment billing updater (AEBU) computing device, said methodcomprising: receiving, by the AEBU computing device, an account updaterequest for updated account data, the account update request includingan input acquirer identifier and an input merchant identifier;performing a lookup within a transaction database using a combination ofthe input acquirer identifier and the input merchant identifier, whereinthe transaction database includes transaction data involving a pluralityof cardholders and a plurality of merchants; identifying, by the AEBUcomputing device, as a merchant enrollee the merchant included withinthe transaction database having a stored acquirer identifier and astored merchant identifier combination that matches the input acquireridentifier and the input merchant identifier combination included in therequest; and automatically enrolling, by the AEBU computing device, themerchant enrollee in the automatic updating program when the merchantenrollee is identified.
 9. A method in accordance with claim 8 furthercomprising searching an enrollment database to determine whether themerchant associated with the input merchant identifier in the accountupdate request is already enrolled in the automatic updating program.10. A method in accordance with claim 8 further comprising transmittinga response message to the acquirer computing device that rejects theaccount update request when the merchant enrollee is unable to beidentified by the AEBU computing device.
 11. A method in accordance withclaim 8 further comprising transmitting a response message to theacquirer computing device that includes a notice of successfulenrollment of the merchant enrollee in the automatic updating program.12. A method in accordance with claim 8 further comprising: receiving aset of account identifiers as part of the account update request;identifying a target set of account identifiers in the transactiondatabase by determining account identifiers associated with both themerchant enrollee and the account update request; and transmitting aresponse message to the acquirer computing device that includes updatedaccount data for accounts associated with the target set of accountidentifiers.
 13. A method in accordance with claim 8 wherein thetransaction database stores transactions as rows and associatedsearchable key variables are stored as columns, wherein the keyvariables include at least the stored merchant identifier and the storedacquirer identifier, and wherein the combination of the stored merchantidentifier and the stored acquirer identifier uniquely identify amerchant involved in the corresponding transaction.
 14. A method inaccordance with claim 8 further comprising: generating an AEBU merchantidentifier for the merchant enrollee; and automatically updating anenrollment database with data associated with the merchant enrollee,wherein the data associated with the merchant enrollee includes the ABEUmerchant identifier.
 15. A non-transitory computer readable medium thatincludes computer-executable instructions for enrolling entities in anautomatic updating program, wherein when executed by at least oneprocessor of an auto-enrollment billing updater (AEBU) computing device,the computer executable instructions cause the at least one processorto: receive, from an acquirer computing device, an account updaterequest for updated account data, the account update request includingan input acquirer identifier and an input merchant identifier; perform alookup within a transaction database using a combination of the inputacquirer identifier and the input merchant identifier, wherein thetransaction database includes transaction data involving a plurality ofcardholders and a plurality of merchants; identify as a merchantenrollee the merchant included within the transaction database having astored acquirer identifier and a stored merchant identifier combinationthat matches the input acquirer identifier and the input merchantidentifier combination included in the request; and automatically enrollthe merchant enrollee in the automatic updating program when themerchant enrollee is identified.
 16. The non-transitory computerreadable medium of claim 15, wherein the computer-executableinstructions further cause the at least one processor to search anenrollment database to determine whether the merchant associated withthe input merchant identifier in the account update request is alreadyenrolled in the automatic updating program.
 17. The non-transitorycomputer readable medium of claim 15, wherein the computer-executableinstructions further cause the at least one processor to transmit aresponse message to the acquirer computing device that rejects theaccount update request when the merchant enrollee is unable to beidentified by the AEBU computing device.
 18. The non-transitory computerreadable medium of claim 15, wherein the computer-executableinstructions further cause the at least one processor to transmit aresponse message to the acquirer computing device that includes a noticeof successful enrollment of the merchant enrollee in the automaticupdating program.
 19. The non-transitory computer readable medium ofclaim 15, wherein the computer-executable instructions further cause theat least one processor to: receive a set of account identifiers as partof the account update request; identify a target set of accountidentifiers in the transaction database by determining accountidentifiers associated with both the merchant enrollee and the accountupdate request; and transmit a response message to the acquirercomputing device that includes updated account data for accountsassociated with the target set of account identifiers.
 20. Thenon-transitory computer readable medium of claim 15, wherein thecomputer-executable instructions further cause the at least oneprocessor to: generate an AEBU merchant identifier for the merchantenrollee; and automatically update an enrollment database with dataassociated with the merchant enrollee, wherein the data associated withthe merchant enrollee includes the ABEU merchant identifier.